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Five things we’ve learned about Everton in 2020/21 so far

By Chris Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates with Andre Gomes, Richarlison and Yerry Mina of Everton after scoring his team's first goal the during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 13, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates with Andre Gomes, Richarlison and Yerry Mina of Everton after scoring his team's first goal the during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 13, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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A banner honouring Everton’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti is unfurled during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on January 21, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

This feels like more than just another false dawn.

4. Ancelotti has brought the feel-good factor

Evertonians are well-versed in false dawns. From Roberto Martinez to Ronald Koeman, and even signing Samuel Eto’o, there has been so much promise on the blue half of Merseyside for years now but not once has it translated into tangible success in the form of silverware or a sustained challenge at the top half of the table.

However, it has to be said that even to the most pessimistic Evertonian — again, including yours truly — something about this feels a little bit different.

Everton have never appointed a manager with a CV like Ancelotti’s. They’ve never signed a player with the global profile of James Rodriguez, and that’s including Eto’o. And if we’re all being honest, they’ve never really solved so many problems in one transfer window — the deadline-day signing of Ben Godfrey was just another example of Ancelotti, Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri identifying a weakness and filling the gap.

Some of Everton’s play during the formative stages of this campaign can best be described as ‘liquid football’. An absolute joy to watch.

Yes, the Toffees have had a fairly favourable fixture list so far. Yes, the Merseyside derby will be a huge test. And yes, we’ve been here before, full of optimism and hope for the future, only to be let down.

But this time, the players are buying in. The fans are buying in. Everyone is pulling in the same direction, being led by one of the greatest managers ever to grace the game.

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